Keeping the ball rolling

Team French Spirit update us and announce their coach

Marc Pajot and the board of Team French Spirit continue in their quest to compete in the 34th America's Cup - whenever and wherever that may be. With skipper Philippe Presti and helmsman Bertrand Pacé - two of the team's pillars and with the private backing, the French team has put in place a program that includes both the participation of sailors in various regattas and a new design competition to build the future design team. "We may not be able to foresee everything, but we must prepare to it" explains Marc Pajot.

Philippe Presti was in Marseilles all week sailing aboard the Italian TP52 Audi Q8 in the Audi MedCup while Bertrand Pacé is in Saint-Tropez until this weekend competing in the Giraglia Rolex Cup aboard the GP42 Near Miss.

In St Tropez today it was announced that Fabrice Levet will join Team French Spirit as a coach. His name is linked to the America's Cup in France for over 15 years. Born in Toulouse 48 years ago Levet is one of the most respected sailors in France. He started in Olympic sailing, competing at the Games in Barcelona in the Soling. He then entered the America's Cup world and never left it. From 1992 to 2007, he accumulated campaigns within the various French challenges, first as a team mate and subsequently as a coach. Meanwhile, he officiates at the Ecole Nationale de Voile where he trains match racing crews and, this year, the French Paralympic sailing team. "I know that Bertrand Pacé had long wanted to work again for a French challenge. We are old accomplices and it is thanks to him that I am here to join Marc Pajot and Team French Spirit. In this project with Philippe Presti, we have great talents together," commented Levet.

Meanwhile Team French Spirit has initiated an innovative approach to its design program by launching a competition for naval architects based on the future AC 90 monohull rules. To establish the best possible design team, extensive consultation was launched in April between seven French design houses and two from overseas, under the supervision of a jury chaired by Philippe Gouard.

To date, Team French Spirit has received support from the followings officials:
Bernard Laporte, State Secretary in charge of Youth and Sports
Jean-Pierre Champion, President of the French Sailing Federation
Jean-Pierre Tuveri, Mayor of Saint-Tropez
M. Jean Louis Borloo, Minister of State and Minister of Ecology and Sustainable Development
Chantal Jouanno, President of ADEME (French Agency for Sustainable Development and Energy Savings)